Sidewalk barbershops are a symbol of old Saigon. In the face of globalization and its demands for westernization, the sight of a simple chair placed beneath an awning where one can get an affordable trim just a few meters from a busy street is gradually vanishing.

“We’re going to Taipei on VietJet Air,” an acquaintance said to me. An international flight on Vietnam’s notoriously delayed airline didn’t sound like the best idea ever. But who would expect that I was set to fly to Tainan, a city on the island's southwest coast, just a few hours after the brief conversation with her. The reality was that I found it excruciatingly difficult to reject a cheap flight deal.

In full "ninja" attire, I braved congested streets under the scorching sun looking for the address. Finally, having spotted a sign that reads 'OldSchool Barbell System’ tucked deep inside Binh Thanh District, I hopped the curb, cheated my way to the destination towards a wide parking spot and prepared to enter a world secluded from the chaotic surroundings.

"Saigon in its golden age was a time to be remembered and passed down to younger generations. The vintage aesthetic trend in Vietnam has been around for a couple of years now and for me, it is a cause for celebration," owner Anh Tuyet said of the trend that has swept cafés and restaurants citywide. Thị's customers, meanwhile, are here for more than just the aesthetic.

Few people are aware that Saigon has an affordable, world-class emergency ambulance response service offering state-of-the-art treatment that begins the moment a call is placed from anywhere in the country.

According to a new report, Vietnam could become the 20th largest economy in the world by 2050.

A new report by global consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) indicates that Vietnam could jump from its current position as the 32nd largest economy to the 20th in 30 years, reports VnExpress.

This 12-spot leap of would be the world's largest, followed by the Philippines and Nigeria, which are expected to move up nine and eight places, respectively.

PwC Vietnam's general director Dinh Thi Quynh Van said in 2015 that Vietnam was only expected to reach 22nd place in 2050, according to the news source. However, thanks to major global events such as Brexit and the US presidential election, huge economic changes are in store.

Van also added that Vietnam needs to carry out reforms and improve education in order to take full advantage of future economic shifts.

In addition, the country's economy grew by 6.2% last year, and the World Bank has predicted an average growth rate of 6.3% over the next three years, reports VnExpress.

Vietnam won't be the only Southeast Asian winner in the new global economy: PwC reports Indonesia will become the world's fourth biggest economy in 2050, behind only China, India and the United States.